Mary and Karen traveled with Italy à la CARte during October 2023. They were in Rome, Puglia, Matera and Abruzzo.
‘Dear Marco, what a pleasure ‘Italying’ with you and Mary. ‘Molte Grazie’ for all you did care, taking of us on the back roads and up a mountain and down again with wild horses in between. We totally saw the real stuff up close and all with your great sense of humor and patience galore. You introduced us to all manner of delicious food – true pasta, the best of gelato and bread and sweets give new meaning to ‘Eataly’.
Seeing so many beautiful historic sites, the olive grove tour, …who knew thousand-year-old trees existed producing the best of olive. This trip was truly a wish come true. So sincerely Marco, thank you with love and peace to you and your family.’
Karen B.
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Bill, Cathy, Tom, Cappy, Paul, Becky, Debbie, Mary Beth Celeste and Delores traveled with Italy à la CARte during October 2023. They toured Rome, Florence and Palermo.
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Thomas, Peggy, Brett and Kelly from Chicago traveled with Italy à la CARte in September 2023. They were in Rome, San Gimignano, Florence and Cinque Terre.
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Kathy and Bob celebrated their 36th Anniversary last September in Italy traveling with Italy à la CARte visiting Rome, the Tuscan countryside, Florence and Pisa.
‘Have you ever dreamed of what it would be like to travel to a new place and have no worries at all? No worries on how to navigate airport transportation, hotels, language barriers, foods, tourist lines that seem to go on forever etc. Are you a nervous traveler who loves new adventures but anxiety can hold you back? This is me…and I now have the perfect solution for all of this. Italy a la Carte (Marco on demand). My husband and I recently traveled to Italy for our first overseas trip and I was extremely nervous over everything I mentioned above. However, once we got through Italian customs, Marco Palermo was outside the doors waiting for us and the anxiety immediately started melting away. His personality makes you comfortable immediately upon meeting him! He worked with us beforehand to determine what type of places we wanted to stay in, what type of foods we liked, what types of things we wanted to see, and it was all arranged perfectly. From Rome to the Tuscan countryside to dinner on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea everything was seamless. He has everything except incidentals such as meals, gelato (which of course I had to participate in quite often), souvenirs paid in advance so there are never any worries. He arranges all tours with private tour guides (when the tour guide is not him) allowing skip-the-line situations. You get to see parts of Italy you would never see in large tour groups as Marco takes you places off the beaten path, places he enjoyed going as a child growing up in this beautiful country. No request is too much, he makes changes on the fly, you want to go to another country such as Switzerland he makes it happen, you decide what you wanted to do in the beginning is not what you want to do now…Marco gets it done all with happiness and smiles. You get the chance to know him, you get to laugh, you may get emotional (like me) seeing sights from a perspective large tour groups wouldn’t get you! He gets you to try new things as he is truly passionate about his home country and wants to share all of it with you! He speaks several languages so the language barrier is never a problem. I can go on an on about Marco and his services, but you truly need to experience his service and his passion to really understand the extra mile he goes to ensure your vacation is everything you hoped and wanted it to be!’
Kathy S.
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Jamie, Andrew and Dylan from Charlotte traveled with Italy à la CARte in August 2023. They visited Venice, Bologna, The Ferrari Maranello Museum, Florence San Gimignano and Rome.
Holly, Steve, Hannah and Zac from Charlotte traveled with Italy à la CARte in July 2023 through Rome, The Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Milan, Lake Como, Switzerland and Venice.
It was awesome! We walked 69 miles in 2 weeks. Looking forward to seeing you in Charlotte.
Holly B.
Joanna, Josh, Hannah, David, Naomi, Elizabeth, Donna and Ron from Chicago traveled with Italy à la CARte for two weeks in June 2023. They were in Rome, Tuscany, The Ligurian Coast, Lake Como and Milan.
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Erika, John, Marco (yes another Marco here) and Adrian from Charlotte were in Rome with Italy à la CARte only for two days in June 2023. Marco was already booked with another group when they vacationed in Italy.
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Lori, Brandon, Barbara and Nathan from Dallas, Texas traveled with Italy à la CARte in April 2023. Marco picked them up in Civitavecchia once they disembarked from a Mediterranean Cruise. They visited Rome and The Amalfi Coast with Italy à la CARte.
A lot of people have asked me about planning this trip and how we did it all…. The first part of our trip was a cruise from Barcelona and ending in Rome. I used Tik Tok to find all the cool local spots in each port. When we docked in Rome, we were met by our amazing tour guide/driver/ photographer/ local Italian expert Marco Palermo aka Italy à la CARte. He planned out everything for us, booked every reservation, drove us everywhere, and was our guide for Rome and the Amalfi Coast. if you are even thinking about going to Italy, I highly recommend you contact him! There’s absolutely no way we could have seen everything we did in the time that we had without him!
Lori W.
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Jessica, Warren, Stephen, Jeanne and Steve, from Charlotte traveled with Italy à la CARte in March 2023 on a six-day tour of Rome, The Amalfi Coast, Naples and Montecassino.
We had a blast and you were the best!! You made it so easy and you planned everything just for us – what we wanted to see, our interests, etc. All of your partner guides were incredible. The food was delicious, of course! I will recommend Italy à la CARte to everyone I know!
Jessica G.
We had an amazing whirlwind tour! Thank you for driving us and arranging all the great guides. A memorable week for sure.
Warren G.
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Bill, Cathy, Emily, Billy, Luke and Maxim from Charlotte traveled with Italy à la CARte in December 2022 and January 2023. They spent ten days in Rome with Marco and took a day trip to Pompei and the Amalfi Coast.
Ciao Marco, What a wonderful and memorable experience you gave us!
Emily V
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Aidi, Dylan, Trent and James from Dallas traveled with Italy à la CARte in July 2022. They spent three weeks touring with Marco in 10 Italian regions (Lazio, Campania, Basilicata, Calabria, Puglia, Molise, Abruzzo, Umbria, Marche and Tuscany) Rome, Tuscany!
So, this being my first ever trip out of the country, I did not know what to expect, granted I was with a few friends who had been it was still very unnerving to say the least. We arrived in Rome on what little did I know would be the most amazing trip of a lifetime. Marco greeted us at the airport, and we were on our way. Over the course of the new 21 days we would laugh, cry, and make memories that could not be replicated in a million years. We visited 10 different regions in Southern Italy. Southern Italy is not a typical tourist scene. However, with Marco it didn’t matter. As we traveled from place to place and demolished the food at every stop we made, Marco made sure to educate us in the historical and fundamentals of each region. Remember this guy is from Rome but has lived in the US most of his life. He knew it all. No matter where we were or what we were doing, he could explain the escalation of how it came to pass. We visited local Honey Farms, Mozzarella Factories, Wineries, and yes, we ate a lot. Marco made sure to tell us often that we ate more in most sittings than Italians eat in a couple of days (“That’s a lot of food guys” in my Marco voice). Me, never being out of the country much less spending 3 weeks on my first time created some obstacles. Not for Marco. Whatever we needed he made sure it was a priority and that it was taken care quickly. I could go on and on but I’ll let the pictures take you through our journey. Marco is the type of person that becomes a friend instantly. He is honest, genuine, kind, and patient. Here are a few takeaways: *Marco knows best. *If you’re not happy about something make sure Marco is aware and he will take care of it. (trust me) * If you see something you want to do that’s not on your itinerary, let Marco know, and he will do his best to deviate and make it happen. (This may have happened 30 times in our trip). * If riding with Marco, buckle up! (I kid, he is a great driver but be mindful this is Italy and as Marco says, “the road signs here are only recommendations” Ha -ha). In closing, I want to say a special thank you to Marco. You truly made this trip one I will remember always. I could have not have imagined the things we would see and learn. You truly found your gift when it comes to serving others. I appreciate all the laughs, close calls (Me almost dying on the Vespa, all my fault LOL), and just knowing that you had everything under control and planed out no matter what changes. You’re an amazing person and a friend for life now. I look forward to our next trip together with the family.
James M
Marco! Grazie Sir! My fifth trip to Italy was by far the best thanks to you. I could have never covered so much ground, been able to easily explore the hidden treasures of your country, or found the BEST food around. Thank you for helping my wife pull off our impromptu wedding.What an experience. Next time I need to learn some of your expert driving skills too. We are blessed to have met you and get to call you our friend. Thanks for all the pictures! Ciao!
Dylan
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Shannon and Jason from Minnesota traveled with Italy à la CARte in May 2022. They spent two weeks touring with Marco in Rome, Tuscany, Lake Garda, Verona and Venice.
! It was one trip that we will forever remember and we couldn’t of been any happier that we booked with Marco!
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Mary from Durham, NC traveled with Italy à la CARte for her second time in April 2022. With Marco she visited Rome and its surroundings, Napoli, The Amalfi Coast (Ravello, Amalfi, Cetara, Positano, Sorrento) and Capri.
I have traveled in Italy alone, with friends, and with family. But no one understands and appreciates Italy more than Marco. And no one (sorry, folks) is more fun to travel with. Whether buzzing through Rome on a Vespa, wandering through the streets of Naples, or taking those curves on the Amalfi Coast, I felt very safe and VERY adventurous at the same time. And oh the restaurants and cafes! He’s got a sixth sense about these things.
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Kathy, Rob, Alyssa and Holly from Boston were the first group to travel with Italy à la CARte in 2022. They spent five days in Rome and did a day trip to Pompei and The Amalfi Coast. It was a little cold but sunny all the time.
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Kealani, Gabriel, Gavin and Garret from Kansas were the first group that safely traveled with Italy à la CARte after Covid in June 2021. They had a blast and experienced the ‘beautiful country’ with very few tourists and crowds around. They spent three weeks with Marco visiting Rome, Tuscany (Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and countryside), The Lamborghini and Ferrari museums in Emilia Romagna, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Camogli and Genova, Lake Garda, The Dolomites, Venice and finally they spent their last week in magical Sardinia.
‘Ciao Ciao to Marco Palermo on our final night in Italy. Marco runs a part-time business Italy à la CARte. He grew up in Italy and moved to the US many years ago, so is fluent in Italian and English, and understands both cultures. He creates custom itineraries and drives you wherever you want to go. He engages expert guides for things like the Vatican or Doge’s Palace, knows good places to stay to fit your budget, great restaurants, and things to do. He is unfailing cheerful, keeps going like the energizer bunny, and felt like part of the family buy the end of our trip. I can’t recommend him more highly if you’re thinking about a trip to Italy.’
Kealani T.
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Diane, Steven, Allen and Suzie from Toronto traveled with Italy à la CARte for three weeks in May 2018. They were in Rome, The Amalfi Coast, Abruzzo, Tuscany, Bologna, Venice, The Ligurian Coast and Cinque Terre.
Robyn and Paul from Australia traveled with Italy à la CARte in September 2019. They visited Rome, Tuscany, Genoa and The Ligurian Coast.
Robin S.
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Eddie, Laura, Gayle and Sally traveled with Italy à la CARte in September 2019. They were in Rome, Tuscany, The Ligurian Coast and Venice
Marco is very knowledgeable about the history wherever he takes you. Everything was planned perfectly for us! it was a stress-free vacation and I highly recommend him.
His job was not easy keeping up with 4 North Carolina women…particularly when we all went in different directions but he was a great sport about it. He was wonderful about taking photos of us…even if it he did use an iPhone and not a Samsung?.
I would definitely recommend using him! I hope he will be available on our next trip to Italy. Marco…maybe one day your company will be called Europe a la Carte and you can guide us through the rest of Europe. :-).
You have been missed!
Eddie Stone
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Jami, Jack, Harriet and Jennifer traveled with Italy à la CARte in September 2019. They visited Sicily & Rome.
Thanks Marco !!!’
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Deedee & Joe traveled with Italy à la CARte in July 2019. They visited Rome, Abruzzo and Tuscany.
‘If you want to experience Italy….(and I mean really experience it), without worrying about travel difficulties , language barriers, crowded tours- then Marco is the way to go! Marco made our vacation absolutely stress-free and so memorable! Driving around Italy with Marco gave us the chance to explore areas we would never have known about! Marco even helped us track down ancestors (by driving us to the small town in Abruzzo where my husband’s great grandparents were from). Having Marco there to communicate with all of the people in the town made all the difference. Marco set up private tours for us at some of the museums and arranged experiences for us that we never would have done on our own. He made things happen for us- and he did it all with a smile and an easy going personality! Marco was also happy to oblige us and help us set a record during our stay – “most visits in a week to the world’s best gelato shopâ€!’
Deede P.
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The Zuleg Family traveled with Italy à la CARte in June 2019. Jill, Matt & Kristen visited Rome,Tuscany, Cinque Terre and Portofino.
‘This is so long past due! We traveled to Italy for our first time in June and it will definitely won’t be our last….but only if we have Marco again by our side! Marco truly wanted us to experience the lights, sounds and taste of Italy and he did not disappoint. The BEST guy out there to tour you around Italy. When we say we had not one worry we mean it. Hakuna Matata could be his motto. Marco, thank you so much for giving us the trip of a lifetime. We would not have had the experience we did if not for you. You were always so flexible, happy, energetic and willing to change things on the fly. I love that you love Italy so much and are willing to share your experiences with others. Everything you planned for us and even things we did that were not on the plan made for a perfect trip! We hope to see you again soon to tour the other side of Italy.’
Jill Z.
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The Shepard Family traveled with Italy à la CARte in June 2019. They visited Venice, their Italian family in the Veneto region, Cinque Terre, Pisa and Rome.
‘I am basically cheap, so when taking a family of 13 to Italy, looking to keep expenses within budget. Marco did this for us. Found great apartments, fantastic restaurants that were both local and able to accommodate our group, and transportation.
He was a fun energetic guide that kept the children engaged and entertained. Marco, we could not have pulled it off without you. The trip was fantastic. Thank you, Thank you.’
Dave and Rich
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Barbara & Francesca traveled to Sicily with Italy à la CARte in June 2019. They visited Noto, Ortigia, Modica, Marzamemi, Donnalucata, Scala dei Turchi, Valley of The Temples, Cefalù, Aci Castello and Taormina.
‘Can’t wait for the next adventure with Marco – the very best -‘
‘Magical time with Italy a la carte. Best vacation. So much fun‘
Barbara P.
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Patty & Paul traveled with Italy à la CARte in May 2019. They visited Lake Como, Verona, Venice, Tuscany, Rome, Cinque Terre and Milan.
‘Marco Palermo, it was a fabulous trip all around Italy…you planned an amazing adventure for our first visit…we saw so much beauty in the countryside and in the cities. You showed us all the fun sites and all the wonderful places we wouldn’t usually go as tourists!! Thank you again! If anyone wants someone to be their guide on a fabulous Italian vacations…visititalyalacarte.com with Marco is the way to go!’
Patricia S.M.
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Grace and Mark traveled with Italy à la CARte in May 2019. They were in Milan, Lake Garda, Tuscany, Rome, Sorrento, The Ligurian Coast and Venice.
Marco is absolutely fabulous! He made our honeymoon so amazing with all the incredible selections of accommodations, tours, dining and shopping experiences— it was spellbinding!
Marco has a warm and generous personality. He was extremely flexible and attentive to our personal requests to adjust our tour and showed us so much more of Italy than we ever imagined.
Marco’s passion for everything Italian was invigorating! He not only showed us the sites during the day but wanted us to experience them all lit up at night— and wow, it was all just so spectacular.
Marco’s unique familiarity with living in both the United States and Italy for many years, allows him to give his customers a very insightful perspective that just adds a depth to the whole experience.
Marco’s business connections, family, friends, tour guides and selections of indigenous dining experiences for all the different regions we visited were exceptional enjoyable!
Not only would we recommend Marco, we’ve been singing his praises to all of our friends and colleagues since we got home! We are excited to book our next trip with him!!
Thank you so much Marco!! We look forward to seeing you again soon!!
Sincerely,
Grace & Mark Boss
“The Newlyweds†???
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Brook and Dennis traveled with Italy à la CARte in MArch 2019. They were in Rome, The Amalfi Coast & Tuscany.
We highly recommend Italy à la CARte to anyone looking to have an amazing, memorble and most importantly stress-free trip to Italy. Marco knew exactly how to plan the perfect vacation for my husband and I. We were able to see many more things in Italy that we probably wouldn’t have been able to find on our own. The places we stayed were top notch and the restaurants Marco picked were delicious. We are also glad that we decided to book Italy à la CARte and will recommend Marco 100% to everyone!!
Brook D.
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Mary and Martha traveled with Italy à la CARte in October 2018. They were in The Ligurian Coast, Cinque Terre, Lucca and Sicily. Mary also visited with Italy à la CARte her relatives in Piedmont.
“It’s easy to find a guided tour of Italy.
This year I dreamed of experiencing life in Italy. Marco helped my dream to come true. He put the search, the discovery, and the savoring into our adventures with my American friend in Cinque Terre, and in Sicily, and even with my cousins who live in Piedmont. Pier and Giusy enjoyed being chauffeured through the wine country for once! What a glorious day that was.
Each taste of focaccia, chocolate, cannoli, gelato, granita (there is a difference!), espresso, seafood, risotto, and chocolate……. yes, lots of chocolate…… was a taste of Italy. Marco would say “I can’t WAIT to show you my favorite…….â€, and believe me, it was good.
The sweeping vistas, ancient ruins, monuments, beaches, villages and shops were introduced with the kind of enthusiasm that only a true Italian has for his country.
When Marco asked what my favorite memory was, the first one (others followed) immediately came from the little shop in Ortigia where he patiently helped me to find the three “Pupiâ€, traditional Sicilian puppets, for my grandchildren. The memory of the shop owner explaining their history is recorded in Marco’s video, and in my heart.
I am returning in the fall of 2019, perhaps with a few friends. We’ll meet Marco somewhere and travel who knows where.
No one should be limited to only one “Trip of a Lifetimeâ€.
PS
Marco will give you my contact information if you would like to chat. “
Mary K.
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Eric, Rachel, Lynn and Jay traveled with Italy à la CARte in September 2018. They were in Genoa, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Rome, Rome, The Amalfi Coast, Bologna & Venice.
“For anyone looking to plan a one-of-a-kind experience in Italy, look no further than Italy a la CARte. Marco will craft an itinerary based on your own dream vacation visions. As a native, he offers thorough cultural and geographic knowledge of the country, but is equality in-tune with American traveler needs. Marco has spent the last 30+ years living stateside. Having him as our fluent translator was indispensable.
As part of a small group, you will explore the towns, cities, and countryside in an intimate way not possible with a larger group. You’ll also have the peace of mind of not getting lost, and always having a capable driver. The worry is outsourced.
We had the grand tour of Italy with Italy A La CARte. Marco is always laughing and smiling. You’re guaranteed to have a great time, no matter what version of an Italy vacation fits your wishes.”
Eric G.
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Laura, Joe, Barb, John and Sandra traveled with Italy à la CARte in September 2018. They were in Rome, Venice, Verona, Lake Garda and Sardinia and they also visited their Italian relatives in the Veneto region.
“When we started planning our trip to Italy, it didn’t take long to realize that there was so much to see and do, that we needed help determining the best way to optimize our time. Fortunately, we found MARCO. With Marco’s help, and expert navigational skills, we were able to see and do so much more than we could have ever done on our own. We had experiences we would have never thought of without Marco’s planning, such as sailing in Sardinia, jumping off of cliffs, and exploring an ancient cave. Just to mention a few. Thanks, Marco for a memorable trip.”
John M.
“A trip to Italy……..where to start! We flew into Milan and Marco met us at the airport with the van. The first three days we drove to visit relatives in Reggio Emilia, Montichiari and then along a winding road up into the mountains! No problem for this experienced ITALIAN driver! Marco, thank you for your kindness to our many relatives as we visited them at home and took in the local sights. They introduced us to “sorbettoâ€, an after dinner drink/dessert! We eventually flew to Sardinia. What a beautiful island. To think, you can only get to most of the beaches by sailboat and zodiac. I think one of our best meals was the three-course meal our skipper Siro cooked on the sailboat. I can’t begin to describe all the wonderful sights, meals and experiences we had with Marco. Thanks for your flexibility Marco, as you adjusted the schedule to meet changing needs. Oh – and did I mention the espresso and gelato stops!? Now that I’ve rested up – let’s keep planning our June 2019 trip to Venice, Cinque Terre & Rome!”
Sandra S.
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Kayla, Kelsey, Jennifer, Dominique, Heidi and Coco traveled with Italy à la CARte in July 2018. They were in Rome, Tuscany and The Amalfi Coast.
“Our group can absolutely not imagine our trip without Marco! Traveling has its ups and downs and Marco makes the experience as seamless as possible. Not having to figure out rides to and from the airport or deal with cabs and language barriers along with not having to try and find good restaurants to eat at and having someone be able to explain the menus to you made Marco worth every cent. He adapts to your needs through the trip and remains flexible which comes in handy when traveling with a larger group. We can’t imagine coming to Europe without Marco and will likely use him again!”
Kelsey B.
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Rita, Mike, Kristina, Mitch, Jennifer & Michael from New York City traveled with Italy à la CARte for two weeks in June 2018. They were in Rome, Tuscany, Bologna, Venice & Sardinia.
“Our trip to Italy was beyond our expectations! Thanks to Marco Palermo, we did not just visit Italy, we truly experienced Italy. The Vatican, the Trevi fountain, the Doge Palace, David, were all exactly what we imagined; historical, beautiful and exceptional works of art. The truly breathtaking experiences were in the places we didn’t even know existed. We could never pick “our favorite†because the entire trip was one “WOW†moment after another but some of my were favorites were:
Castle Gandolfo, Nemi, Ariccia
The Roman Aqueduct
The Vespa tour
San Gimignano; the landscape, the lightning storm, the rainbow and (of course) the wine.
The High Waters of Venice
The hole in the wall
The Alghero lanterns
Sardinia; the little church on the hill, the grottos, the boat rides and the beautiful waters.
The food, the cappuccinos, the gelato and our favorite “grandpa’s creamâ€
And the breathtaking sunsets from every mountaintop in Italy.
It was a dream come true to visit Italy with my family and Marco fit right in. Thank you Italy Ala Carte for making my dreams come true!”
Rita C.
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Joan, Rich & their sons from Chicago traveled with Italy à la CARte in May 2018. They were in Rome, Civita di Bagnoregio, Arezzo, Florence and Pisa.
“Marco, we can’t thank you enough for making the past two days in Italy so spectacular! You brought us to so many destinations we never could have visited on our own. Scot was able to eat some terrific , authentic meals, feeling confident. They were safe for him. That in and off itself is priceless! Your insights into Italy and expert driving skills will be forever legendary for us. We were so fortunate to have been able to connect with you for these two days. Wishing you + your family good health and happy safe travels. We hope this is not ‘Arrivederci’. Grazie,”
Joan, Rich, Scot & Chris
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Diane, Steven, Allen and Suzie from Toronto traveled with Italy à la CARte for three weeks in May 2018. They were in Rome, The Amalfi Coast, Abruzzo, Tuscany, Bologna, Venice, The Ligurian Coast and Cinque Terre.
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Lisa and Glenn from New York traveled with Italy à la CARte in October 2017. They were in Rome, Tuscany and Venice.
Glenn S.
Ann and Rich, Harriett, Jack and Jami traveled to Sardinia with Italy à la CARte in September 2017.
Watch what Harriett, a native from The Cayman Islands who traveled all over the world, had to say about her first trip to Sardinia with Italy à la CARte
The Levey family from Newcastle, Australia traveled with Italy à la CARte in Sptember and October 2017. They were in Rome, Pompei, Tuscany, Venice, The Dolomites, Austria and Gemany.
Jason and Jackie from Charlotte traveled with Italy à la CARte in June 2017. They were in Venice, Florence, Siena, Rome and on the Ligurian Coast.
“Buonasera,
Words cannot even begin to describe our experience in Italy with our Cicerone, Marco Palermo, and Italy
Words cannot even begin to describe our experience in Italy with our Cicerone, Marco Palermo, and Italy à la CARte! It was the trip of a lifetime and one that wouldn’t have been possible without Marco’s expertise, attention to detail, and his unwavering excitement for the country.
We arrived in Milan where Marco promptly was at the terminal waiting for us right outside of baggage claim. We drove to Venice, checked into the beautiful and historical Ruzzini Palace and visited as many sites you can imagine the day of arrival and the following day. Marco set us up with a private tour of the Basilica di San Marco which was absolutely stunning!! Go to the Piazza San Marco at night, take the water taxi to Church of San Giorgio Maggiore… I’m reminiscing, Marco will have it all planned out for you, but all of it, is simply incredible. After Venice, we went to Tuscany and stayed at an incredible villa owned by one of the local Vineyards. We did a private wine tour and relaxed by the pool. The next day we visited Florence, then headed off to Rome – We took a detour to Siena which I highly recommend! Rome was as amazing as we had imagined. The best part was that it is Marco’s hometown. In addition to the famous and historic sites, he was able to show us places we would have never found on our own. We finished the trip on the Ligurian Coast – a less crowded, absolutely stunning, version of the Amalfi Coast. Our 5-star hotel overlooked the Mediterranean and was a two-minute walk from where focaccia bread was invented. Marco knows all of the best places to get authentic Italian food!
Traveling abroad, not speaking the language fluently, not knowing exactly where to go aside from getting some tidbits on Rick Steves or Frommer’s is not only exhausting but a little scary. Marco did a one-on-one call with us, listened to what we wanted to do, where we wanted to go and how long we wanted to stay and built an itinerary. After 2-3 revisions, we were all set!
One question I get asked every time I talk about having “a guide” or “Cicerone”, is… “Wasn’t it difficult having someone with you all the time?”…
My response, always, is “Not at all!” There were some days when we traveled and saw sites with Marco for many hours, then took small breaks and met back up with him hours later. Other days, Some days, we started our day around 10:30 am. Some days we finished earlier, some days, later and had time off for ourselves. If you have planned guided tours, (The Vatican/St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Wine Tasting or Basilica di San Marco) you need to be on schedule to meet the private tour guides that work for Marco. Otherwise, it’s a stress-free vacation and Marco makes the best use of your time to provide you with a unique experience.
I have been to Paris, Prague and countless countries in the Caribbean and Latin America… all great, all beautiful and historic, and I knew I’d like Italy… what I didn’t know, is I fell in love with Italy and with what Marco showed us. Now that I am back home, I am constantly looking at ‘live cams in Italy’ trying to hold on to the sites, sounds and culture. I am already hoping to book another trip with Italy à la CARte next year!
Arrivederci, Ciao!
Tips:
- Trust in the itinerary Marco laid out. It’s an adventure, take it all in. However, if you need a break, ask/let Marco know. He understands jet lag, fatigue or simply wanting some alone time is all part of a vacation and enjoy dinner, walk or explore solo occasionally, I’m sure he could use a break too! 🙂
- Be open to spontaneous excursions or little unknown surprises Marco has uncovered throughout Italy, they are well worth it.
- Go out on the town at night, listen to the people, get some wine, see a sight and walk the streets of ROME!
- Eat local fresh fruit and make sure to drink plenty of water… the nice thing, the fountains the Romans built still work and are very refreshing….and clean water runs freely!”
Jackie and Jason K.
The Brown family from Tega Cay, SC traveled with Italy à la CARte in June 2017. They were in Rome, Tuscany, Bologna, Venice and Sardinia.
“Traveling with Italy a la Carte Your dream vacation becomes a reality when you travel with Marco and Italy a la Carte. It starts with the planning. No cookie-cutter tours here. Marco meets with you and develops your itinerary, lodging and activities based on where YOU want to go and what YOU want to do. When you land at the airport, you’re greeted by a friendly face. No struggling with language barriers, transportation, or confusion around maps and directions. Long lines at the Vatican or museums? Not for you. With your private guide, you’ll skip the line and get insider information as you tour. With Italy a la Carte, you’ll discover restaurants, shops, markets, breathtaking views and adventures that you’d never find on your own. It’s a truly unique experience. Bring comfortable clothes, good walking shoes and your sense of adventure. You can leave anxiety and worry at home – you won’t need them on this trip! Traveling with Marco is like having your own personal tour guide combined with your best friend. He makes everyone feel comfortable, and will ensure you smile and laugh throughout your journey. Marco makes you feel like family from the moment you meet him. No one knows Italy better, and he loves taking care of people. For most of us, traveling to Italy is a bucket-list trip. Traveling with Marco and Italy a la Carte will make it unforgettable.”
Kim Brown
Luz Marine and Vielka from Miami traveled with Italy à la CARte in May 2017. They visited Venice, Tuscany, Rome and The Amalfi Coast.
“Mi hermana y yo tuvimos la grata experiencia de viajar x 10 dÃas a Italia….. mi sobrino nos obsequió este lindo viaje utilizando los servicios de Italyalacarte y su guÃa Marco Palermo… un lindo paseo q disfrutamos por la Toscana, Roma y la Costa Amalfi… con gran placer recomiendo a Marco, es una persona agradable, profesional y servicial el cual hizo todo lo que estuvo a su alcance para que disfrutáramos de esta linda experiencia , la cual nos encantará repetir en un futuro … “
Vielka H.
“My sister and I had the pleasant experience of traveling x 10 days to Italy ….. my nephew gave us this nice trip using the services of Italyalacarte and his guide Marco Palermo … a nice ride we enjoyed in Tuscany, Rome and the Amalfi Coast … with great pleasure I recommend Marco, he is a nice, professional and helpful person who did everything in his power to enjoy this nice experience, which we will love to repeat in the future. ..
Vielka H.
Katie and her family from Milwaukee and Seattle visited Rome, Tivoli, Pompei, Orvieto and Tuscany with Italy à la CARte in April and May 2017.
“Our family spent three weeks based in Rome. Over that time Marco accommodated the plans and interests of the different age groups — from 6 months to 16 years, four couples plus grandparents. He is extremely patient, enthusiastic and flexible. This means the trip was relaxing and fun for all the participants.His assistance was immeasurable. He translated for us everywhere we went. Both his Italian and English are impeccable. In addition, his versatility with technology allowed us to have communication always available via his loaner cell phones and a hotspot for internet coverage. This way, if we got lost or were ready for pick up, he could easily locate us. He is a safe driver arriving on time or calling if traffic delays. Marco is not your usual tour guide clocking in his 6 hours. The day trips outside of Rome could take 10-12 hours. He always made sure we had everything we needed…like purchasing night lights and renting a keyboard. Because he grew up in Italy, he has a deep background knowledge and familiarity with certain places and how they have changed over time. For tours of specific historic sites such as Ostia Antica and the Vatican, he found us superb tour guides.In short, you would be well served to experience Italy with Marco.”
K Parent
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Kokila with Jami & Jack from North Carolina traveled with Italy à la CARte in May 2016 and visited Lake Garda, Venice, Verona, Bologna (Food & Ferrari Tour) and Cinque Terre.
Lake Garda, View from the hotel
Venice on the water taxi
The Food & Ferrari Tour in Bologna
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“I love Italy. I loved it better with Italy à la CARte. If you are looking for personal attention, great flexibility, and total comfort while exploring this amazing country, contact Marco! Oh, and did I mention the surprise breakfasts, on-the-go language lessons, vista points only locals know, great choice of places to stay, and bargain shopping? Thank you for a wonderful trip, Marco!”
K Kaul
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John & Tandy from Charlotte, North Carolina traveled with Italy à la CARte in June 2016 and visited Rome, Tuscany (San Gimignano, Florence, Siena, Pisa), Cinque Terre and Camogli/Genova, Lake Garda, The Dolomites and Venice!
The Three Peaks of Lavaredo, on the Italian Dolomites
The Ligurian Coast
“One of the reasons that we enjoyed our Italy trip so much was that we had engaged the services of Marco Palermo, a native Italian, who made all of our accommodations, provided professional tour guides at major sites AND did all the driving! If you want to see Italy, this is the way to go! Marco lives here in Charlotte and we learned of him through a neighbor. He tailored the trip stops to just what we wanted to see and took us to places that we didn’t know to ask for.”
John & Tandy G.
Dan and his family group traveled with Italy à la CARte in May 2016. They toured Venice, Bologna, Tuscany, the The Amalfi Coast and Rome.
“Marco, I don’t know how you do it. The trip was incredible. We packed a lot in for sure but everyone got a really good taste of some of the best of Italy. You did an unbelievable job herding all of us around the countryside. It was a great way to see more of the beautiful landscape and experience some of the real Italy.
Thanks again for guiding us through a wonderful experience. Let’s get together for dinner when you get back to Charlotte. Maybe some good old Carolina BBQ”
Dan S.
Pete & Judy and Steve & Joanne traveled with Italy à la CARte in May 2016. They toured Rome, The Amalfi Coast, the Abruzzo region, the Umbria region and Tuscany in May 2016.
Welcome to Rome. Let’s go to eat a great seafood lunch by the Roman beach as soon as you get off the plane!
The Trevi Fountain in Rome
Private Tour of Pompei with Andrea, the best professional guide
Chef Fiore on the Amalfi Coast teaches the group how to make Limoncello
Beautiful dinners on the terraces of the Amalfi Coast
A two-day stop in the beautiful mountains of the Abruzzo region
Jackson, Jami, Jack, Hanna & Coco traveled to Sardinia with Italy à la CARte in July 2016.
Maddalena Archipelago, Sardinia on the 4th of July
The group is enjoying the most beautiful beaches of the world!
Sun, beaches, gelato & Prosecco in Sardinia
Kelly, Tom and his daughter Catie from Chicago traveled to Rome with Italy à la CARte in December 2015.
Kelly, Tom, his daughter Catie and her friends having fun on the roofs of Rome with Marco.
“I highly recommend hiring Marco to help you get the most out of your visit to Italy. He picked us up at the airport and delivered us to the doorstep of an amazing apartment in Trastevere, took us on an amazing day trip right outside of Rome (to the Pope’s ‘summer palace’ and Nemi PLUS a visit to the ancient Aqueducts –where he played as a young boy!). Really great day. He even made sure we got to the airport on our departure day. When we go back, he and his company will be our choice”
Kelly
Jack and Jamie toured Rome and its “less known” surrounding areas, Tuscany and Abruzzo with Italy à la CARte during the Spring of 2015.
Jami & Jack in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany
Jami & Jack in the Etruscan town of Tarquinia
Kim Myers from South Carolina toured Tuscany, Rome and many surrounding areas with Italy à la CARte!
“I traveled to Italy with Marco, and it stands as one of the most unforgettable trips of my life.
Marco makes everything about your trip easy and fun. I never opened a map unless I wanted to. I never got lost. I didn’t have to worry about not speaking the language. There was no tour schedule to adhere to or public transportation to figure out. And best of all, because we were traveling by car, we were on our own schedule with opportunities to take daily trips around Rome to towns like Nemi, Frascati, Castel Gandolfo and Lido di Ostia that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. The San Gimignano, Tuscany trip was memorable. Driving around Tuscany was an incredible experience and thanks to Marco, I was able to see amazing places in that wonderful region. Marco takes great joy in showing guests around his home country, and takes wonderful care of you. He made sure I saw all the places that I wanted to see, and shared many that I never would have found on my own.
From seeing the lights of Rome sparkling from Gianicolo to the beauty of Florence and the green Tuscan hills to watching the sun set over the Eternal City from the top of Castel Sant Angelo on our last night in Rome, traveling with Marco was a dream come true. I can’t wait to go back again!”
Kim